Ryan Horner – A True Wingman Published March 22, 2022 By Shania Horner Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance and Special Operations Forces Directorate Some people are just born great. Some people have the natural ability to put themselves aside and to truly embody what it means to be a “true Wingman.” What does this mean? A few attributes come to mind when classifying someone as a “true Wingman:” Selflessness, Empathy, Dedication, Heroism, and Companionship; just to name a few. The number of people who encapsulate all of these attributes is limited, but those who do, are people who deserve recognition. Ryan Horner is one of those individuals. Although Ryan has numerous accounts of his willingness to serve others, one particular scenario impacted Andrew Huffman, a Systems Engineer with the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center's Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance and Special Operations Forces Directorate. While in the Middle East for a site activation, Ryan’s colleague, Andrew, suffered through a medical emergency and had to stay in the hospital for a period of time. For many, having one less man on the job would have delayed operations, but not with Ryan. Not only did he coordinate fixing open issues with the facilities, but he also made it a point to tend to his friend and coworker. During the day, Ryan would consistently check on Andrew at the hospital, all while successfully performing his regular duties. After hours, you could find Ryan visiting Andrew, reassuring that work was progressing smoothly and that he needed to focus on getting well. Once Andrew was released from the hospital, Ryan did anything he could to assist; including carrying luggage. “I want to say thanks to Ryan, and I hope he gets credit for going above and beyond,” said Huffman. “It should make everyone in the division feel better about traveling across the world when you have wingmen like him traveling with you.” Ryan encapsulates all of the characteristics of a “true Wingman.” However, there is one more thing that is a huge differentiator between someone who is ordinary versus extraordinary. A prominent component of being a “true Wingman” is jumping in, doing the right thing, and not expecting anything in return. In simple terms, being a good person. Anyone can do something for glory and recognition. It takes a truly humble person to do it for nothing. When someone has this much impact on another, that’s when incredible people, like Ryan, get recognition. Ryan Horner epitomizes a true wingman who jumped to help a coworker in an emergency situation in a foreign land then stayed with him until safe arrival home. All while successfully performing his regular duties.